by Bobby Akart
Current inventory
• Resource materials (books, CDs, etc.) covering a wide range of topics
• Instruction and repair manuals for everything
• Backups of all important computer files
• Hard copies (printouts) of all critical information contained in computer files
• Backup copies of your computer data on discs, USB flash drives, portable HDDs
• An evacuation plan and prioritized grab list
• Plans and equipment for making expedient antennas (see Communications and Computing)
• Pocket list of contact numbers for family, friends, team members (see Communications and Computing)
• Pocket list of radio frequencies used (see Communications and Computing)
• Forms of entertainment (games, books, music, DVDs, CDs, MP3 players drawing, coloring, cards, football, frisbee, baseball/throwing ball, soccer ball, etc.)
• Maps of surrounding area with extensive notes on routes and areas, including conditions at different times of the year (see Navigation and Signaling)
• “Range cards” for your entire property
Personal Items
• Purse
• Wallet
• ID
• Watch
• Money
• A “last-minute checklist” is generally a bad thing to implement. It’s better to have all the equipment and supplies on hand before an event occurs.
• A Grab List is a list of items that you want to take with you in case you need to evacuate your home. The grab list should include everything that you would want to take, in priority order, so that you don’t have to try and remember while you’re scrambling to evacuate.
• Additional Entertainment considerations include games for kids, books (or reading material) for both education and learning resources, and books that show how to play more games (adult and children) using cards and other materials.
• It’s a good idea to keep important documents in a fire-resistant safe
• Lighting
• Flashlights
• Lanterns, Battery and Oil
• Light Sticks
• Solar Lights
• Candles
• Area light (prefer safe LED or fluorescent instead of flame-based light)
• Spotlight, handheld, battery powered (see Alternate Energy)
• Provide power to all normal light for home with Alternative Energy.
• Spare parts for all lights (bulbs, etc.)
• LED lights are preferred due to their lower consumption of battery power.
• Navigation & Signaling
• Maps of surrounding area, including topo, road atlas, etc. (see also Information and Plans)
• Compass, several quality instruments
• Protractor, rulers, grid squares, alcohol-erase markers, pencils, grease pencils etc. for map use
• Waterproof map cases, waterproofed maps, or maps covered in clear acetate
• GPS with built-in mapping software and direct-entry of information (coordinates, descriptions, etc), preloaded with the appropriate maps
• Power support for GPS (see Alternative Energy)
• Prepping for Pandemics, Nuclear + BioTerror Attacks
• N100 or P100 masks/filters
• Tyvek suits, including hood and over-boots
• Nitrile gloves
• Air filtration system capable of providing positive pressure in a saferoom area, with spare filters
• EMP surge protectors on all sensitive equipment
• Decontamination gear and supplies
• 6 mil plastic in rolls and metal tape for safe rooms plus back up materials
• Potassium Iodine/Iodate (KI) tablets, enough for a minimum of 14 days for each person
• Log book for noting exposures and readings, pencils, pens, calculator, ruler, log-log paper
• Radiological Instruction manual (like “Fallout Survival” by Druce D. Clayton; FEMA)
• Air filtration system capable of providing positive pressure to whole house, with spare filters
• EMP surge protectors on all house outlets
• Radiation meters (survey and dosimeters)
• Fallout shelter
• Hygiene & Sanitation
• Toilet Paper
• Two pairs of eyeglasses, both with current prescription
• Eyeglass retaining straps
• Toiletries: Make sure you can do everything in the bathroom that you do on a daily basis, including:
• Bath / wash (soap)
• Dental care
• Denture care
• Hand Wash
• Clean eye contacts
• Nail trimmers
• Hair comb/brush
• Makeup
• Shave cream and disposable razors
• deodorant/antiperspirant
• Keep skin from drying (lotion)
• Tweezers
• Clean ears
• Nose tissue
• Dry self (towels)
• Feminine hygiene items
• Garbage disposal and recycle/reuse
• Plastic trash bags for waste both human and other to keep buckets clean
• Deodorizers (Lysol, baking soda and vinegar, liquid porta-potty enzymes, etc.)
• Lice/Nit comb
• Camp showers
• Body Bags
Cleaning Supplies
• Bleach/Pool Shock
• Comet
• Baking Soda
• Washing Soda
• Borax
• Bar Soap
• Vinegar
• Mop and Bucket
• Broom and Dust Pan
• Scrub Brushes
• Dish Pan
• Trash Bags
• Trash Cans
• Burn Barrel
• Compost garbage and waste
• Spare buckets
Pets & Animals
• 30 days of stored food and water for each pet
• Ability to handle pet waste if pet cannot go outside for 30 days
• Pet care needs, special medications, toys, etc for 30 days
• Leashes and kennels for each animal
• Tie-down stake
• Pest control for pets
• Shot / Vet record
• Up-to-date shots
• 90 or more days of stored food and water for each pet, eventually working towards an indefinite supply for all pets
• Ability to handle pet waste if pet cannot go outside for 90+ days
• Pet care needs, special medications, toys, etc for 90+ days
• Pet first-Aid kit
• Tested recipes for pet food from stored and/or gathered food sources, food scraps, etc.
• Shelter, Fire & Warmth
• Tents, enough tent space to contain all members and gear
• Tarps, decent selection for general and miscellaneous use
• Sleeping bag or other bedding of choice for each member, capable of keeping person warm in sub-freezing temperatures
• Ability to make fire in, at least, 3 different ways
• Spare sheets and blankets
• Pillows
• Alternate heating source for home
• Land Mobile – more durable and mobile sheltering system (e.g., camping trailer)
• Shelter building tools (see Tools, Repair and Utility)
• Shelter repair supplies: plywood, wood strips, plastic sheeting, screws, nails, etc. (see also Tools, Repair and Utility below)
• Pre-cut plywood for covering windows if you are in a Hurricane area
• Ability to repair and maintain your home: Plumbing, Electrical, Carpentry, Roofing, Fencing, Concrete, Welding, etc.
• Tools, Repair & Utility
• Buckets, with and without lids
• Basic socket set
• Basic scre
wdriver set
• Basic wrench set
• Basic set of saws (wood, metal, etc.)
• Basic set of files
• Basic wrench set
• Multi-meter
• Tarp and plastic sheeting for temporary repair of roof, windows, and siding from storm damage. Large-head nails and wood strips to attach them
• Multi-tool, quality construction
• Hammers
• Shovels
• Pickaxe
• Axe
• Hatchet
• Rope
• Wire (bailing and electrical)
• Twine
• Fuses
• Crimp connectors
• Scissors (need several pair for different tasks; a good set of scissors is indispensable)
• Soldering iron
• Solder
• Drill and drill bits
• Measuring tool (tape measure, carpenter’s rule, etc.)
• Repair/Mend clothing
• Sewing kit
• Clothes pins, wooden
• Eyeglass repair kit
• Gather & prepare firewood (axes, saws, splitter, etc.)
• Chainsaws
• Supply of nails, screws, and some lumber for structural repair of house
• Parts & tools to repair critical plumbing items
• Spare buckets, with and without lids
• Welding setup
• Transportation
• Keep all vehicles in good repair
• Four wheel drive on main vehicle, or traction-enhanced (locking differentials, etc.)
• Main vehicle needs to be able to carry everyone in family, including a minimum of gear and supplies for 1 week
• Main vehicle needs to run on standardized fuel (gasoline, diesel), not specialized fuel (high octane, bio-mix, propane,etc.)
• Stored fuel for one full tank (e.g., if your vehicle’s tank holds 20 gallons, store 20 gallons) in man-portable containers
• ‘Fix a flat’ or Slime
• Self-vulcanizing plug kit
• Air compressor (12 VDC)
• Hose clamps, various sizes (or hose wrap or duct tape)
• Siphon hose
• Funnels
• Full-sized spare tire
• Emergency road equipment (flares, warning reflectors, etc.)
• Navigation (maps, GPS, etc.), stored in vehicle
• Basic spare parts (hoses, belts, sparks plugs, fasteners, etc.)
• Extra fluids (oil, coolant, transmission fluid, washer fluid, etc.)
• Tool kit, stored in vehicle
• Fire extinguisher
• Jumper cables
• Recovery strap/tow rope
• Extended fuel storage
• Additional spare parts for vehicle
Water
• Bottled Water
• Canteen/Camelback
• Rain Barrel
• Water Bottle with Filter
• Water Purification Tablets
• Pool Shock/Bleach
• Kettle w/ Lid for Boiling Water
• Charcoal and Sand
• Mosquito Netting
• Coffee Filters
• Purify / disinfect water with Bleach or Calcium Hypochlorite
• Pre-filter / purify / disinfect water with coffee filters or panty hose
• Berkey Water Filter, a Life Straw, or similar devices for home and bugging out
• Dedicated “dirty water ” containers* equal to about 30 gallons, plus additional containers to catch rain water
• Spigot-controlled water (on / off valve) – Sillcock Key
• Have 5-day supply stored in containers that are easy to move when full
• Portable capability to pre-filter / purify / disinfect water for additional 30 days or more
• Gather large quantities of water, in excess of 100 gallons at a time
• Rain Catchment System
Weather Information
• NOAA weather radio
• Basic understanding of clouds, weather systems and storms typical in your area
• Weather reference book or poster
• Thorough understanding of weather related alerts, watches and warnings
• Handheld weather measurement instruments
• Powered Weather monitoring station
• Attend Weather Spotter class/participate in area SKYWARN activities/training
Medical Supplies
• Nitrile Gloves (hypoallergenic), in various sizes for larger group supplies
• Cold packs/Hot packs, instant and/or reusable
• Scalpels and/or Field Knife
• Ace Wraps
• Israeli Bandage or other compression bandages
• Celox or Quikclot hemostatic clotting agents (stops moderate to severe bleeding in wounds)
• Tourniquets (CAT, SOF-T, SWAT, EMT are examples)
• Compressed Gauze (H and H brand is an example)
• Steri-strips or Butterfly Closures and Tincture of Benzoin (to help the strips stick to skin)
• Nail Scissors or Clippers
• Hemostat Clamp 5”, Straight or Curved
• 3-0 Nylon or Silk Suture
• Super Glue or Medical Glue
• Tweezers (in various sizes and tips for larger group supplies)
• Penlight and Headlamp
• Bandage Scissors 7.25” Stainless steel (better) or EMT scissors
• Adhesive Bandages, various sizes (non-latex if possible)
• ABD Dressings, in small and large sizes
• Gauze Dressings Sterile and Non-sterile, various sizes
• Non-Stick Sterile Dressings (Telfa type), various sizes
• Roller Gauze Sterile Dressings (Kerlix), various sizes
• Moleskin or Molepad
• Mylar, Solar, or Survival blanket
• Cloth Medical Tape
• Duct Tape
• Triangular Bandage with safety pins, and bandannas
• Ammonia Inhalants
• Antibiotic Ointment or Creams, like Triple, Bacitracin, Neomycin and Bactroban (Rx)
• Alcohol Wipes, Povidone-iodine (Betadine) Wipes, BZK wipes (Benzalkonium Chloride)
• Burn Gel and Hydrocortisone Cream
• Sting Relief Wipes
• Hand Sanitizer
• Lip balm, and Sunscreen
• Ibuprofen Tablets, Benadryl Tablets and Rehydration Packets
• Waterproof Paper and Pencil
• First Aid Reference Book
• Headlamps, with extra batteries (for night or poor lighting conditions)
• Instant Glucose and/or Raw Unprocessed Honey
• Chest Seals, Vented, 2 per pack (entry and exit wound coverage)
• Oral Airways (to keep airway open)
• Nasal airways- NPAs (keeps airways open) and Surgical lube